POSITION: Operating Room Registered Nurse

DEPARTMENT: Nursing

REPORTS TO: Nurse Manager

JOB SUMMARY: Provides nursing care to the patient during the intra-operative phase. Performs nursing activities in the operating room where the circulating nurse is the patient’s advocate. Answers patient needs by assisting the physician and the person responsible for anesthesia care.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

1. Graduate of an accredited school of nursing required.

2. Current New York State licensure required.

3. Operating room experience preferred.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Excellent communication skills, written and verbal.

2. Strong organizational skills, detail oriented.

3. Proficient at setting priorities.

4. Constant and frequent judgment and response, occasionally in response to an emergency, actual events or drills.

5. Excellent interpersonal skills – must be able to work independently and as a team member.

6. Computer literate preferred (Microsoft – Word, Patient Database Software).

7. Basic Cardiac Life Support required

8. Advanced Cardiac Life Support required. Exception made for Northwell employed per diem RNs.

9. PALS required (Syosset SurgiCenter)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

1. Require high level of visual and auditory acuity for timely response and patient care assessment activities.

2. Ability to move quickly in response to physician and patient needs.

3. Ability to stand for long periods, occasional overhead and low reaching.

4. Occasionally exert force up to 50lbs, frequently up to 20 lbs, and constantly up to 10lbs.

5. Patient care activities may require the ability to exert force up to 30lbs constantly, up to 40 lbs occasionally, and up to 100lbs. rarely.

JOB RELATIONSHIPS:

1. Works with the Center’s clinical and non-clinical staff, physicians, patients, patients family/significant others, consultants, and vendors (in-services on supplies or equipment). May direct ancillary personnel caring for patients in that assigned area.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Supports the philosophy, goals, and objectives of the Center.

a. Supports, and performs according to, approved policies and procedures.

b. Participates as a team member in support of the total peri-operative process.

c. Considers patients rights in performance of job duties and responsibilities.

2. Contributes to the progress and development of the approved Quality Management Program.

a. Supports risk management and participates in programs directed to patient and staff safety.

b. Contributes to the quality management process, identifies role and contributions to functional teams.

c. Objectively evaluates suggestions, grievances, and processes to identify opportunities to improve performance and quality of care.

3. Communicates and interacts effectively with patients, visitors, physicians, and co-workers.

a. Interactions are respectful and courteous.

b. Assist others with their questions or needs.

c. Provide excellent customer service to all patients, families/significant others, co-workers, managers, physicians, consultants, and vendors.

d. Communicates effectively and professionally, using a translator when necessary.

e. Documents that information, received from the patient is disseminated to the appropriate people or departments.

4. Maintains and promotes professional competence through continuing education and other learning experiences.

a. Participates in committees, conferences, and quality management activities.

b. Researches and submits pertinent articles for review at staff meetings.

c. Seeks new learning experiences by accepting challenging opportunities and responsibilities.

d. Objectively evaluates suggestions or criticisms and attempts to improve performance or seeks further guidance, as needed.

e. Maintains membership in relevant professional organizations.

f. Attends and actively participates in meetings, committees, in-services, workshops, seminars, and conferences according to job responsibilities and Center requirements.

g. Assists with the orientation and training of new personnel and acts as a resource person for patient care problems.

5. Adheres to safety policies and procedures in performing job duties and responsibilities.

a. Reports observed or suspected violations, hazards, and noncompliance according to Center policy.

b. Observes safety measures in performance of job duties and responsibilities; enforces compliance with safety and security policies and procedures.

c. Responds to emergency situations with competence and composure.

6. Interacts appropriately with various age groups.

a. Accurately assess and interprets age-specific patient data.

b. Accurately interprets age-specific patient responses to questions and instructions.

c. Involves the patient’s family/significant other in decision making about the patient’s care.

d. Provides care appropriate to the patient’s age group.

e. Accurately applies knowledge of growth and development.

f. Considers age-specific patient requirements when responding to emergency situations.

7. Organizes time, equipment, supplies, and staff to provide effective case management.

a. Supervises and directs patient care in a single operating room.

b. Organizes nursing activities efficiently and effectively delegating activities appropriate to the abilities of available staff members.

c. Considers cost-containment by using supplies economically and in effective turn-over time.

d. Assists with supply, drug, and equipment inventories to maintain stock level and availability.

e. Maintains order and cleanliness in the operating room.

8. Addresses patient needs during admission to the operating room.

a. Transports patients to the operating room according to Center policy, safety requirements, and patient needs.

b. Identifies the patient and correct surgical intervention according to Center policy and communicates with all surgical team members.

c. Reviews the patient’s medical record and needs to plan care with other health care team members.

d. Provides comfort and reassurance to the patient; maintains patient’s privacy and dignity.

e. Explains intra-operative phase routine procedures and care to the patient. 

9. Performs the circulating nurse’s functions adhering to approved operating room procedures for the scheduled procedure.

a. Prepares the operating room according to the procedure to be performed and patient needs.

b. Assembles and provides properly functioning equipment, supplies, and instruments before the start of the procedure; positions and adjusts equipment as required during the procedure.

c. Anticipates needs of the surgical team; assists anesthesia staff by supporting the patient during administration of anesthesia. 

d. Assist with the proper and safe positioning of the patient and prepares the operative site as directed by established procedure.

e. Monitors compliance with principles of aseptic technique according to accepted standards.

f. Assists with identification and confirmation of operative site.

g. Provides comfort in the physical environment by monitoring designated parameters. 

h. Provides continuity of patient care by communicating with other peri-operative care personnel and documenting records appropriately.

10. Performs other duties as directed by the OR supervisor or administrator.